Day 3 of the Permagear challenge in SnowRunner sees the Scout sidelined, the GMC doing the groundwork, and a new MVP emerging in the form of a mud-munching monster named Frank.

📜 Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

🛠 Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

💡 Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

Missed Day Two? Find it here.

⛽ The Day the Scout Stayed Stuck

With my Scout still stranded halfway up a hill like a confused goat, I decided to pivot. It’s clear I’m not getting that thing down anytime soon without divine intervention—or a winch the length of Michigan.

So, I fire up the GMC and focus on the Fallen Powerline task. The first run goes well: I load up some metal beams and get them to their destination. On the way, I spot a trailer with four concrete blocks—tempting, but it’s a long trailer and I’m not ready to play articulated trailer roulette with Michigan’s charming mud paths just yet.

🛻 The Scout Redemption Arc (Sort Of)

After a quick refuel, I foolishly decide today’s the day to retrieve the Scout. It starts off promising. I’m making progress, even getting the Scout to flip—then miraculously flip back onto its wheels.

With that minor miracle behind me, I press on. I uncover two more watchtowers, pick up a handful of new tasks I’ll pretend aren’t overwhelming me, and eventually find myself blocked by a landslide. Classic.

Having proven itself one last time, the Scout earns a rest. I snag an engine upgrade for it, give it a respectful pat on the bonnet, and leave it where it is. The mountain claimed it. I just made peace with that.

🚛 Fleetstar to the Rescue (a.k.a. Frank’s Glorious Debut)

Back to base. I offload the GMC and climb into the Fleetstar. This was meant to be a test run, but it turns into a full-blown audition—and Frank absolutely nails it.

Equipped with All-Wheel Drive and Diff Lock, Frank handles mud like it’s mildly inconvenient wet grass. He tows a trailer of service parts to the landslide site like it’s a minor chore. No slipping, no tipping, no stress.

Feeling bold, I then take on Motel Woes, hauling a curtainside trailer across uneven roads. Frank doesn’t care. Frank dares the terrain to fight him.

Upgrades? The moment they’re available, he’s getting the works. Engine, suspension, fresh paint—maybe even a sticker that says “Certified Beast.”

🚛 Final Thoughts

The Scout had its moment. The GMC did its duty. But Frank?
Frank has potential. Frank is trustworthy.
Frank is family now.

Want more SnowRunner? Read Day Four here.

My SnowRunner permadeath journey begins with a scout vehicle, a few tutorial missions, and one very heavy curtain trailer. Day One sets the tone: slow, strategic, and a little bit chaotic.

📜 Series Hub: SnowRunner Survival: The Permagear Diaries Main Hub

🛠 Rules: SnowRunner Permagear Rules

💡 Why Permagear Works: Read the reasoning behind the challenge

🛻 It Begins With a Scout

My journey starts in a Chevrolet scout, an eager little vehicle that handles like a nervous goat but gets the job done.
Mission One: Find the Watchtower.
Easy enough—until I hit mud.

Lesson learned:

Use low gear in sticky terrain.
Turn on AWD whenever possible.
Fuel up when the game offers. (Not optional. A warning.)

Watchtower found. Map revealed. Let the chaos begin.

🛠 A Truck, a Bridge, and a Hopeful Start

Next up: Find the truck.
It’s nearby. It doesn’t have AWD. I’m sure that won’t be a problem.

Mission: Repair the bridge.
Step 1: Deliver metal beams. The truck barely handles the terrain, but low gear carries me through.
Cue a satisfying cutscene where the bridge assembles itself like IKEA furniture—only sturdier.

Step 2: Fetch timber from the lumber mill and complete the job.
Done and done.

🏚 Finding the Garage (And Dragging a Dead Truck)

Mission: Find the garage.
I switch back to my scout—it’s lighter, faster, and slightly less grumpy than the truck.

On the way, I:
• Discover another Watchtower
• Spot a broken-down truck near the garage
• Stumble upon a raised suspension upgrade for the scout—a very tempting find

The catch? I can’t install it until the vehicle is safely in the garage.

So I finish the trip, reach the garage, and then use the scout to tow the dead truck across the yard like I’m dragging a fridge with a rope belt.

Once everything’s safe and parked, raised suspension installed. My little scout has grown up.

🧊 An Invitation to Alaska (Declined)

The game suggested I check out Alaska.
I suggested it wait its turn.
We’re sticking to Michigan for now—it’s got enough ways to kill me already.

📦 The Curtain Call

With the tutorial chain complete, I take on my first real contract:
Deliver a curtain trailer to the farm.

The trailer’s right by the garage, so I:
• Switch to the same truck that repaired the bridge
• Unlock a raised suspension upgrade for it too (thanks, Michigan)
• Install the upgrade in the garage
• Attach the trailer and hit the road

It wasn’t fast. The trailer was heavy, the truck groaned, and I crept toward the farm like someone afraid of commitment.

But I made it. Trailer delivered. First contract—and Day One of this adventure—is complete.

Want more SnowRunner? Day Two can be found here.